Timer and removing unit



Nov. 1, 1960 L. c. FINCH TIMER AND REMOVING UNIT Filed June 17 H W M W 3 M 9 a .1 MW. l m

FLA 7 United States Patent Ofitice TIMER AND REMOVING UNIT Lowell C. Finch, 2610 60th Ave., Oakland, Calif., assignor of one-half to David S. Woodward, Oakland, Calif.

Filed June 17, 1957, Ser. No. 666,170

3 Claims. (Cl. 254-173) This invention generally relates to timing devices, and is more particularly directed towards a unit in which a timer clock is operatively connected to a mechanism capable of lifting or similar operation at the expiration of a predetermined time interval.

By many instances, it is desirable to have apparatus capable of actuation after a desired period of time has elapsed. By way of example, in the processing of X-ray or similar photographic film, the plate or film is normally supported along an edge thereof and then immersed in a developing solution. The technician or operator, after the required period of time has elapsed, then manually removes such plate or film from the solution for drying or other operations. Such an arrangement requires the constant attention of the operator to avoid damage to the plate or film such as by excessive time in the solution.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide apparatus which will automatically lift or raise an object, such as a plate or film, after a predetermined time interval after the initial lowering thereof, whereby the user may merely set a timer, immerse the film or the like, and be assured that the same will be mechanically removed from the solution at the expiration of the preset time interval.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character described which is extremely simple in construction and operation, which is arranged in a small compact manner, and which may be operated by persons not having any specialized training or qualifications.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a timer and removal mechanism in which the lifting or raising mechanism will come into actuation only upon the expiration of the preset time interval and will automatically cease operation after the film or other object has been raised to a desired extent, and which will thereupon produce an audible signal at the completion of the operation.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawing and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to said drawing:

Figure l is a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a portion of the timing mechanism, portions of the figure being broken away to illustrate details of internal construction, and illustrating the position of certain parts during movement of the timer.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by line 5-5 of Figure 4.

In broad terms, the apparatus of the present invention 2,958,510 Patented Nov. 1, 1960 includes a timer clock 12, a spool 13 on which a coil of string or cord 14 may be wound, and means for rotating the spool after the timer has completed the cycle for which it was set. By attaching a suitable clamp 16 to the distal end of the cord, a film, plate or the like may be releasably attached thereto for the reasons above specified. As will be presently explained in more detail, the spool is adapted to be driven by a motor 17, which in turn is energized upon completion of the preset timer cycle.

More specifically, the exemplary apparatus illustrated in the drawing, may be provided with a base plate 18 of rectangular or other design configuration and a top plate 19, preferably of like configuration, the latter being disposed in parallel spaced relation to the base. Mounted on the base, adjacent a corner thereof, is positioned the timer mechanism 12, which is constructed in a conventional and well known manner, and which as herein illustrated is of the mechanical spring actuated type, as distinguished from an electrically operated unit, although obviously the latter type could be equally well employed. The timer includes a lower generally cup-shaped metal housing 21 which serves as a support for the conventional clock mechanism 22 which constitutes a mechanically windable timer. Such mechanism, as is well known in the art, includes spaced plates 23 and 24 between which the necessary cogs and gears are positioned. A flat coil spring 26 encompasses a portion of the timer shaft 27 which extends between the plates and on the upper end of the shaft is disposed an indicator knob 28 which may be manually rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1, and against the action of spring 26 so as to align the knob with suitable indicia 29 on the top plate 19, thereby disclosing to the user the time interval being set. The spring, upon release of the knob, will return the latter as well as shaft 27 to its normal off position. Secured to the lower end of the shaft 27 is a disk 31 which serves as a cam for a contact arm 32. The arm is pivoted to the lower plate 23 as indicated at 33 and is normally urged into engagement with a stationary contact member 34 by a spring 36. When the timer shaft is set by rotating the same clockwise, the disk will force arm 32 out of engagement with member 34, but as the shaft, under the influence of the spring 26, returns to its normal position, a cut out portion 35 in disk 31 permits spring 36 to bring arm 32 into contact with the member 34 for a purpose to be hereinafter described in more detail. Since the actual arrangement of the gears and the like comprising the actual clock mechanism are well known in the art, no further or detailed explanation of their construction or mode of operation is deemed necessary.

Returning now to the motor 17, it will be seen that the same includes a coil 41, which upon electrical energization, creates a magnetic field to rotate an armature 42 mounted on a shaft 43 suitably journalled between the plates 18 and 19. Shaft 43 carries a small pinion 44 which engages a larger gear 46 carried on a second shaft 47. A pinion 48 on shaft 47 likewise drives a larger gear 49 on a parallel shaft 51, the latter carrying a pinion 52 in engagement with a gear 53 on still another shaft '54. The number and sizes of the pinions and gears are merely relative, since their function is to provide a suitable speed reduction between the armature shaft 43 and the shaft 54.

Shaft 54 extends through the top plate 19 and secured thereto is the drum or spool 13 upon which the cord 14 is wound so that upon actuation of the motor, the spool will be rotated, effecting a winding up of the cord and any object carried thereby.

To provide for the foregoing in timed relation to the clock actuation, a suitable electrical circuit is provided which, as here shown, comprises an electrical conduit 56 adapted to be connected to a suitable socket or other source of electricity. One lead 57 thereof is connected directly to the motor coil 41 while the other lead 58 passes through a switch 59 and then to a conductive portion, such as plate 24, of the timer. The timer contact arm is electrically connected to the plate 24 and a lead 61 connects the contact member 34 to the motor coil, thereby completing the circuit and causing energization of the motor when the switch is in an on position and the timer positioned as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing, which represents the end of a timed cycle. However, if the switch is ofi, or if the timer is running, such as shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, the contact arm 32 and member 34 will be in spaced relation, and no current may flow to the motor.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the apparatus should be readily apparent. By way of example, the user may attach the clamp 16 to a film, lower the same into a solution, and set the timer clock for the required developing time. When this is done, the switch 59 is turned to its on position.

When the clock returns to its normal position after completing the required time cycle, arm 32 and member 34 will be in contact and thereby complete the electrical circuit to the motor 17 effecting rotation of the armature and through the gears, a slower rotation of shaft 54 and the spool 13 carried thereon. Such rotation will wind the cord around the spool and consequently raise the clamp and its attached film from the solution.

In order to prevent continued rotation of the spool after the clamp has been raised a sufiicient amount,

means are provided for automatically moving the switch to its off position, so as to break the circuit and stop the motor and further spool rotation. This may be readily accomplished by providing a slot 66 in the manually engageable switch actuator 67, and by causing the cord from the spool to pass through such slot. By providing a head 68 or other projection at a suitable position on the cord, when the bead reaches the actuator 67 the rotation of the spool and the pulling thereby on the cord will cause the bead to force the actuator to its off position, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. in this manner the operator may freely leave the unit after setting the timer clock, since after completion of the time cycle, the motor will automatically raise the cord and upon lifting of the object, will automatically be shut 011?.

A further novel feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an audible alarm, indicating to the operator that the entire operation has been completed. Conveniently, the metal timer housing 21 may be utilized as a striker plate, and a hammer 71 is caused to strike such housing upon completion of the operation. As here illustrated, the hammer is mounted on a plate '72 pivotally carried on a bracket 73 secured to the base plate 18. A tension spring 74 normally urges the plate and its hammer into engagement with the striker or housing 21. However, it will be seen that the plate is positioned adjacent a metal core 76 of a coil 77, which upon energization causes the core to attract the plate 72 and move the same away from the housing. Upon deenergization, the spring will cause the hammer to forcibly strike the housing, resulting in a clearly audible signal. To provide for such coil actuation, I provide a pair of electrical leads 81 and 82 connected to the coil and likewise connected to the contact member and lead 61 respectively. In this manner, when the motor circuit is closed, the coil 77 will be energized, but upon breaking of the motor circuit such as when the bead moves the switch to its off position, no current will flow to the coil 77 and the hammer will be resiliently forced to strike the housing 21.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the apparatus of the present invention is extremely simple in construction and operation and fulfils a definite need in providing an automatic unit for raising film or other objects after a predetermined time period has elapsed, the only manual operation being that of setting the timer clock to the desired time cycle and turning the switch 67 to its on position.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus of the character described including a housing having an upper surface, a manually settable timer within said housing, a coil actuated motor within said housing, a spool extending upwardly of said surface connected to said motor for rotation about a vertical axis upon coil energization, electrical conduit means having a first lead connected to said coil and a second lead connected to said timer, a third lead interconnecting said timer and coil, means placing said second and third leads in electrical communication so as to energize said motor coil upon return of said timer to its normal position of rest and breaking electrical communication when said timer is being moved during actuation and running of said timing mechanism, a switch in said second lead for breaking said circuit to said motor independent of the position of said timer, a switch actuator extending outwardly of said housing, and a flexible element coiled around said spool and having means for actuating said switch actuator in a preselected position of extension from said spool.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which said actuator is provided with means for slidably receiving said element, and said flexible element includes an enlarged portion at a selected position thereon for moving said actuator to an ofi position when said spool has been rotated an amount sufilcient to effect engagement of said enlarged portion with said actuator.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which said motor is provided with gear reduction means whereby said spool is driven at a reduced speed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 787,837 De Vore Apr. 18, 1905 1,273,938 Shutt July 30, 1918 1,299,839 Knapp Apr. 8, 1919 1,870,992 Freuler Aug. 9, 1932 2,543,032 Laviana Feb. 27, 1951 2,717,544 Messenger Sept. 13, 1955 2,767,291 Haley Sept. 11, 1956 

